Title 49—Transportation--Volume 1
PART 564—REPLACEABLE LIGHT SOURCE AND SEALED BEAM HEADLAMP INFORMATION
§ 564.1   Scope.
This part requires the submission of dimensional, electrical specification, and marking/designation information as specified in Appendices A and B of this part, for original equipment replaceable light sources used in motor vehicle headlighting systems. This part also serves as a repository for design information as specified in appendix C of this part, for original equipment and replacement standardized sealed beam units used in motor vehicle headlighting systems.
§ 564.2   Purposes.
The purposes of this part are achieved through its Appendices:
(a) The purposes of appendix A of this part are to ensure:
(1) The availability to replacement light source manufacturers of the manufacturing specifications of original equipment light sources so that replacement light sources are interchangeable with original equipment light sources and provide equivalent performance, and
(2) That redesigned or newly developed light sources are designated as distinct, different, and noninterchangeable with previously existing light sources.
(b) The purposes of appendix B of this part are to ensure:
(1) That original equipment light sources are replaceable and that replacement light sources provide equivalent performance, and
(2) That redesigned or newly developed light sources are designated as distinct, different, and noninterchangeable with previously existing light sources.
(c) The purpose of appendix C of this part is to ensure the availability to original equipment and replacement sealed beam headlamp manufacturers of the manufacturing specifications of standardized sealed beam headlamp units used on motor vehicles so that all sealed beam headlamp units of a specific type are interchangeable with all other units of that same type and provide equivalent performance.
§ 564.3   Applicability.
This part applies to replaceable light sources used as original equipment, and standardized sealed beam headlamp units used as original equipment and replacement equipment in motor vehicle headlighting systems.
§ 564.4   Definitions.
All terms defined in the Act and the regulations and standards issued under its authority are used as defined therein.
§ 564.5   Information filing; agency processing of filings.
(a) Each manufacturer of a motor vehicle, original equipment headlamp, or original equipment headlamp replaceable light source, which intends to manufacture a replaceable light source as original equipment or to incorporate a replaceable light source in its headlamps or motor vehicles, shall furnish the information specified in appendix A. If the rated laboratory life of the light source is not less than 2,000 hours, the manufacturer shall furnish the information specified in either appendix A or appendix B of this part. Information shall be furnished to: Associate Administrator for Rulemaking, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, Washington, DC 20590 Attention: Part 564-Replaceable Light Source Information (unless the Agency has already filed such information in Docket No. NHTSA 98-3397).
(b) The manufacturer shall submit such information not later than 60 days before it intends to begin manufacture of the replaceable light source to which the information applies, or to incorporate the light source into a headlamp, or to incorporate the light source into a motor vehicle of its manufacture. Each submission shall consist of one original set of information and ten legible reproduced copies, all on 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper.
(c) The Associate Administrator promptly reviews each submission and informs the manufacturer not later than 30 days after its receipt whether the submission has been accepted. Upon acceptance, the Associate Administrator files the information in Docket No. NHTSA 98-3397. The Associate Administrator does not accept any submission that does not contain all the information specified in appendix A or appendix B of this part, or whose accompanying information indicates that any new light source which is the subject of a submission is interchangeable with any replaceable light source for which the agency has previously filed information in Docket No. NHTSA 98-3397.
(d) A manufacturer may request modification of a light source for which information has previously been filed in Docket No. NHTSA 98-3397, and the submission shall be processed in the manner provided by § 564.5(c). A request for modification shall contain the following:
(1) All the information specified in appendix A or appendix B of this part that is relevant to the modification requested,
(2) The reason for the requested modification,
(3) A statement that the use of the light source as modified will not create a noncompliance with any requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 (49 CFR 571.108) when used to replace an unmodified light source in a headlamp certified by its manufacturer as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, together with reasons in support of the statement; and
(4) Information demonstrating that the modification would not adversely affect interchangeability with the original light source.
After review of the request for modification, the Associate Administrator may seek further information either from the manufacturer or through a notice published in the Federal Register requesting comment on whether a modified light source incorporating the changes requested will create a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 when substituted for an unmodified light source. If the Associate Administrator seeks public comment on a submission (s)he shall publish a notice stating whether (s)he has accepted or rejected the submission. If a submission is accepted, the Associate Administrator files the information in Docket No. NHTSA 98-3397. If a submission is rejected, a manufacturer may submit information with respect to it, as provides in paragraph 564.5(a), for consideration as a new light source after such changes as will insure that it is not interchangeable with the light source for which modification was originally requested.
(e) Information submitted under this section is made available by NHTSA for public inspection as soon as practicable after its receipt, but not later than the date on which a vehicle equipped with a new or revised replaceable light source is offered for sale.